Diffuser with one or more attachment members for light guiding cables and provided with a light attenuating device

ABSTRACT

A diffuser with one or more attachment members for light guiding cables, and provided with a device permitting to attenuate the quantity of light emitted by the luminous source.

GUIDING CABLES AND PROVIDED WITH A LIGHT ATTENUATING DEVICE n J W C 3 E Umted State 1111 3,751,655

Codrino Aug. 7, 1973 [5 DIFFUSER WITH ONE OR MORE 3,278,739 10/1966 Royka et a1 240/8.16 X ATTACHMENT MEMBERS FOR LIGHT 3,131,690 5/1964 Innis et a1. 240/1 EL 3,561,859 2/1971 Heckscher et a1. n 350/96 R Primary Examiner-Samue1 S. Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Wintercorn Attorney-Michae1 S. Striker ABSTRACT A diffuser with one or more attachment members for light guiding cables, and provided with a device permitting to attenuate the quantity of light emitted by the lu- 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Inventor: Giuseppe Codrino, Via Stazione,

Quattordio, Alessandria, ltaly [22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 211 App]. No'.: 198,338

52 U.S. c1. 240/8.16, 350/96 R [571 [51] Int. Cl B60q 3/04 [58] Field of Search 240/1 EL, 8.16; 350/96 R,96 T

[56] References Cited minous source.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,076,278 2/1963 Zack 240/1 EL 3751,655 A OR m 240/8116- w 1 t PAIENIEDMIB 1m 3.151 .655

IN VE N TOR. 60/ as; 6 ,4

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4 II ux DIFFUSER WITH ONE OR MORE ATTACHMENT MEMBERS FOR LIGHT GUIDING CABLES AND PROVIDED WITH A LIGHT ATTENUATING DEVICE This invention relates to a particular light diffuser with one or more attachment members for light guiding cables, and provided with a device permitting to attenuate the quantity of light emitted by the luminous source.

As it is well known, the light guiding cables have the property of transmitting the light emitted by a luminous source.

The particular diffuser type according to the present invention permits not only to normalise and distribute in all directions the flow of a luminous source, but also and principally it permits to vary the quantity of light being conveyed on each light guiding cable, thereby securing a regulation of the lighting of the apparatuses or instruments being lighted by the cable itself.

It is thus possible by using one and the same luminous source to suitably graduate the lighting ofa determined instrument or equipment.

Furthermore, thanks to its constructional features, the diffuser according to the present invention may be fastened on the instrument carrying forebridge or instrument panel or the central cabinet of a motor car, a ship or an aircraft.

These and further characteristic features of a functional and constructional nature of the diffuser according to this invention will better be understood from the following detailed description and the figures on the accompanying drawing, representing by way of nonlimiting example particular embodiment modes of this invention, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a diffuser according to this invention, provided with two side attachment members for multiple light guiding cables and FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of another diffuser type according to this invention, provided with one single side attachment member.

Referring now to the numeral symbols of the various figures on the accompanying drawing, the diffuser according to the present invention consists of a cylinder 1, being preferably made out of metal or nontransparent plastic material, provided, on its side surface, with two attachment members 2 and 3 for multiple light guiding cables and on its lower base with a turning knob 4.

The said knob 4 there is connected a lamp 5 or another luminous source which, when it is turned on, emits a luminous flow the photometrical or light distribution curve of which is an ellipse in the centre of which there is located the luminous source 5.

By rotating the knob 4 and hence the luminous source 5, the luminous spectrum being unidirectional, it is possible to regulate the light quantity illuminating the light guiding cables and therefore the equipment connected to said cables.

The luminous source 5 may be replaced by simple removal of the hnob 4.

The elastic attachment member 2 is provided with an end edge 6 and a perimetral groove 7, which ensures the fastening of the cable terminal 8 of the light guiding cable of multiple type to the member itself. A variation of the luminous flow or quantity of light, illuminating the various light guiding cables may be obtained according'to a modification of this invention by disposing betwenn the luminous source 5 and the attachment member 2 a screen 9 turning about the axis of the diffuser.

In such case, the luminous source 5 is stationary and connected to the base of the diffuser, whilst the knob 4 is connected via an arm 10 to the screen 9.

By turning the knob 4, the screen 9 is acted upon by screening or not the luminous source.

The screen 9 consist of a diaphragm, which may be provided in a different thickness or colour graduation and permitting in this manner to graduate the light absorbed by the cables.

It is understood that the diffusers illustrated on the accompanying figures may be provided with a larger number of attachment members, without thereby introducing any variation in the inventive concept of this invention.

Furthermore, said attachment members may be ar ranged for individual or multiple light guiding cables.

Said diffusers may be fastened via a ring nut or other suitable anchoring means on the instrument carrying forebridge or the central cabinet of the motor cars, thereby facilitating their use.

The diffusers according to the present invention have been described inthe foregoing specification by making reference to the accompanying figures, which represent a preferred embodiment form given by way of non-limiting example. Several changes and modifications as to shape, dimensions and construction could therefore be introduced therein, without thereby departing from the very spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim:

1. A light diffuser, comprising an opaque enclosure provided with at least one light-conveying attachment member; a light source mounted in said enclosure for movement between a plurality of positions in each of which the intensity of light passing through said attachment member assumes a different value; means for moving said light source from the outside of said enclosure; and a light guiding element connected with said one attachment member.

2. A light diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source is rotatable between said positions thereof and wherein the light distribution curve of said light source is an ellipse.

3. A light diffuser as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for moving said light source is a rotary knob.

4. A light diffuser as defined in claim I, wherein said attachment member consists at least in part of elastomeric material and defines a socket, said light guiding element including a plug which is removably received in said socket. 

1. A light diffuser, comprising an opaque enclosure provided with at least one light-conveying attachment member; a light source mounted in said enclosure for movement between a plurality of positions in each of which the intensity of light passing through said attachment member assumes a different value; means for moving said light source from the outside of said enclosure; and a light guiding element connected with said one attachment member.
 2. A light diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein said light source is rotatable between said positions thereof and wherein the light distribution curve of said light source is an ellipse.
 3. A light diffuser as defined in claim 2, wherein said means for moving said light source is a rotary knob.
 4. A light diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein said attachment member consists at least in part of elastomeric material and defines a socket, said light guiding element including a plug which is removably received in said socket. 